Tuned Length Exhaust Manifolds (ebay)

[Guilt-Toy]

I think the GCG ones / Just Jap ones have 2 pipes going to the wastegate instead of 2. they are a different manifold. the GCG ones are better i believe.

I purchased a cheap ebay one and yes i had problems but when we got the manifold my mechanic decided to spent 10 hours griding all the excess dags off it because he has heard in the past people have blown there turbos with welding dags comming adrift into the ex wheel.

So mine blew out in a few places on the dyno because parts of the metal was much thinner then it was before it was grinded out. So thats why it happened.. I had to take the manifold off the car 3 times before we got it all working ok.

I ended up getting them to weld over the china weldings and put a nice big piece of stainless bar over the side (it sits near the strut tower side) to strengthen it up.

So far since we have done that I have not had any issues with cracks / leaks got over 6 months. car goes well.. but it dont look anywhere near as shiny as that anymore.

So if you do buy one of these this is what you gotta do.

Weld it up around all the welds to make them stronger

Get rid of excess dags

Get the turbo surface / wastegate flange / manifold surface machined 100% straight.

Add a support bracket from the wastegate pipe to the cyl pipe (we only used 1 but if you want to use more then go for it.

Add a piece of stano and weld it in to make the collector area a bit stronger.

Chuck away the gaskets and dont use the studs you get with it.

Then they are fine.

I have HEARD of people buying them and installing them onto 500rwhp cars untouched and still going a year later. if you get a good one and do it right then it can work well. very well.

If i could have spent $1000 and got a better manifold. I WOULD HAVE. But this one is working fine now

Hope this helps

Edited June 27, 2006 by Guilt-Toy

[B-Man]

10 hrs labour at $80 per hour ??

I reckon the 6boost ones are the shit ! Very good craftsmenship

[Guilt-Toy]

10 hrs labour at $80 per hour ??

I reckon the 6boost ones are the shit ! Very good craftsmenship

Mates rates. I dont think he even charged me for the time he spent on that.

They looked after me. since then he will never touch one of those manifolds again in his workshop. He only used it on my car because its all i could afford at the time.

[r33freely]

Oh well from what i can see it seems there is more problems with these manifolds than meets the eye.. im not sure that even at $300 odd dollars it seems worthwild to buy one as nobody has claimed it gave them any extra noticable amounts of power/tourqe.. just a fckn headace to fit

decision made= standard stays!..lol

Regards

Dave

[Cool Hand Luke]

In my opinion, if your car has gotten to the stage where it can benefit from a proper manifold, then im sure you can afford one, and not skimp on a $300 ebay manifold.... which could possibly cause more problems that its worth. If its not pushing the performance limits of its current manifold, im sure $300 could be better spent on something like a good tune etc.

That being said, the the runner design on the GCG manifolds look pretty crap. Lots of straight piping, and looks like they are as basic as a "tuned length" runner could be. They may last, but how does the performance compare to a stocker. And how does it compare to a brand name manifold?

Edited June 27, 2006 by Cool Hand Luke

[BezerkR32]

How much performance do you want. 285rwkw @ 21psi on stock internals. I dare say the manifold is not holding it back. 11.62 @ 123mph.

In my opinion, if your car has gotten to the stage where it can benefit from a proper manifold, then im sure you can afford one, and not skimp on a $300 ebay manifold.... which could possibly cause more problems that its worth. If its not pushing the performance limits of its current manifold, im sure $300 could be better spent on something like a good tune etc.

That being said, the the runner design on the GCG manifolds look pretty crap. Lots of straight piping, and looks like they are as basic as a "tuned length" runner could be. They may last, but how does the performance compare to a stocker. And how does it compare to a brand name manifold?

[BezerkR32]

If you nad no intention on upgrading the turbo then you have made the correct decision. the other option is to have your manifold power ported. this will give you the increased flow you are looking for and is a good option dollar wise as well as a good supporting mod for a highflow turbo. Pretyy sure it only costs around $3oo to have done + gaskets and labour etc. best part is, everything bolts back on with no modification of pipes or plumbing. as that is where all the expence is.

Oh well from what i can see it seems there is more problems with these manifolds than meets the eye.. im not sure that even at $300 odd dollars it seems worthwild to buy one as nobody has claimed it gave them any extra noticable amounts of power/tourqe.. just a fckn headace to fit

decision made= standard stays!..lol

Regards

Dave

[r33freely]

Thanks for the info man

Dave